Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art (Musée d'Art Contemporain) Tours

The Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC) houses a permanent collection of more than 8,000 works by Quebec, Canadian, and international artists. A diverse range of mediums are represented from digital, sound, and video works to photographs, installations, and sculptures, showcasing modern and avant-garde art dating from 1939 onward.

The Basics

The Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art displays homegrown Quebec talent, with works from local legends, including Les Automatistes, a group of dissident, Surrealist-inspired artists that emerged in the 1940s in Montreal. In addition to the permanent collections, the museum also hosts popular temporary exhibitions showcasing international and Canadian artists. Examples of previous temporary shows include an exhibition of the work of Icelandic artist Ragnar Kjartansson and another dedicated to the late Montreal native, Leonard Cohen.

Visitors can either pay for admission at the door, or purchase a sightseeing pass, which grants free access to MAC and other top city attractions like the Montreal Tower Observatory, Montreal Biosphere, and McCord Museum.

Things to Know Before You Go

The Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art is a must-visit for modern art fans and anyone with an interest in Quebec and Canadian art.

A restaurant is located on the museum’s first floor, while a museum shop can be found near the main entrance.

MAC is wheelchair accessible through the entrance at 185 Saint-Catherine, situated next to the main door.

How to Get There

Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art is on Place des Arts in Downtown Montreal, just north of Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal). To get there, ride the Green Line Metro to the Place-des-Arts station. Local bus lines 15, 55, 80, 129, and 535 all stop nearby.

When to Get There

The museum is busiest on weekends; come early to avoid the crowds. One of the best times to visit is during the Nocturnes at the MAC, a series of nighttime events that sees the museum open until well past midnight. During these events, visitors can take part in interactive tours, art workshops, and enjoy drinks and snacks from the bar as well as live music from a DJ.

Where Else to See Art in Montreal

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-Arts) focuses on more traditional art, from paintings to furniture and decorative arts, and makes an excellent complement to a visit to MAC. Famous European artists, such as Rembrandt and Picasso, are represented alongside 20th-century Canadian greats like the Group of Seven and Jean-Paul Riopelle.

Save money and zip around the city of Montreal with the ‘Passeport MTL.’ During a 72-hour period, enjoy access to 23 popular attractions and activities, including riverboat cruises, the Biodôme, The Montreal Tower and Olympic Park, and more. Bonus: The pass has a built-in chip that gives you unlimited access to public transportation, including the 747 Aéroport P.-E.-Trudeau shuttle. Getting to know Montreal has never been easier.